I keep this blog free and clear of all the things you should never bring up at a cocktail party….politics, sex and money. But it is an election year….and I felt I needed to say a few things. It is not a slant one way or another….it is not to be used to get you to see my side….it is just a small request. One word actually.
Educate.
Educate yourself. Don’t leave it up to one morning talk show….one local newspaper…one TV station…one blog, one campaign commercial. Don’t leave it up to your friends/co workers/neighbors telling you why they like their candidate. Don’t leave it up to November 6th to figure out who you can trust with our country’s future. Truly take some time to find out who will get YOUR vote….who lines up with your core values and philosophy’s. It is our greatest gift as citizens…and it is one we have taken for granted for far too long.
Choosing a candidate for President…can be compared to a child choosing between divorced parents (sort of). They both profess to have your best interest at heart….they both see a vision for you…and what your future holds…they both see their way as the most efficient and sound way to get there. They are both good, decent, humane people. Sadly, neither of them are right on everything all the time. Both of them have bad days and don’t always put their best foot forward. Both of them may sling a little mud when an issue hits close to home. But you must try to see where they are coming from….where they are going and if they have your country’s best interest at heart. Unfortunately, you can’t mold them into one person…you have to choose. And just because you typically vote for a particular party…does not mean that parties candidate has your best interest in mind. Think about it.
We are so blessed in this great country of ours…that every 4 years…we get to pick a new boss. We get to say….yes—I believe you can do the job…I see my future and the future of my country in your hands…and I can be at peace with my decision. There will not be one person that will line up perfectly with all of your thoughts and beliefs….so don’t expect to find them. It is not a popularity contest. It is not American Idol. It’s our President.
Woman voters could decide this election (and those of you who are 18-30…which I happen to know a bunch of you are :) Those women who fought for our right to vote 92 years ago would be in awe of that.
Are you prepared to cast the one vote you are given?
“This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved.
It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins. “-Benjamin Franklin
(thanks for listening, reading…and putting up with me in general …back to your regularly scheduled DIY projects next week ;)
Right on, sister! Thanks for encouraging civic participation :)
GREAT post! Thanks for encouraging us to do our due diligence!
You are right and the same applies to my country, Germany. I can never understand why so many people don’t even exercise their right to vote.
So go, everyone in the US!
I applaud you for this post. I find it so sad when I discuss politics with a few friends and all they can say is what THEY HEAR and not what THEY KNOW. The quipped one liners from the nightly news or a local radio show does not make one look smart.
I wish more women would educate themselves on what it took for us women to finally be “allowed” to vote.
It’s not only our RIGHT but also our DUTY to vote.
Thank you so much, very well put.
Very well said, and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Well said! It shocks me how many people I know who don’t educate themselves on their choices and vote only based on what party their parents were loyal to! That is so frustrating to me.
WOW Traci you know me? Im a senior who until 50+yrs did’nt know much more not understand. Allways said I did’nt have anyone to talk to which is true. Life style / been a loner still one (married???) Im pushy now when I need answers or interesting. Really funny when I dont agree with hubby? Right on get out & VOTE. I’ve helped at voting 2 years, They needed a runner to get etc so I offered. FUN & Vrey benificial
You are so right on. It’s important to research the background of the person running for office to learn what kind of life he/she led (community-wise, church-wise, family-wise, etc.), their schooling, their military record (if any), what he/she did that led to their decision to run for political office, and if they walk the talk. I really, really like the e-mail making the rounds lately asking US citizens to demand term limits to eliminate “career” politicians, that all politicians have to abide by the same rules and regulations they impose on the rest of us (health care, Soc Security, Medicare, etc.), that if Congress doesn’t pass a federal budget, then they are automatically replaced when the next election cycle rolls around, etc. Sounds harsh, but those are the “rules” by which all of us who run households have to follow!
Great post!
While getting educated on the subject (if you Google 2012 presidential ballot) you will find that there are a lot more choices than just Democrat and Republican (granted many of those choices are questionable..but they are choices). Sometimes the only thing that really separates these candidates is the lack of enough funds to make a name for themselves. A really great president could already be on the ballot but you have to look closer to the bottom to find him/her.